When was it published?

February 27, 1821 in The Alexandrian: A Commercial, Agricultural And Literary Journal

Foreign News February 27, 1821

The Alexandrian: A Commercial, Agricultural And Literary Journal

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Charivari Custom, Police Disturbance

Q: What keywords are associated?

Charivari, Montreal, Canadian Custom, Widow Marriage, Police Arrest, Watch House Break In, Charity Donation

Alexandria, District Of Columbia

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What is this article about?

In Montreal, young men held a traditional Canadian charivari for a newlywed couple (young man marrying a widow), clashing with police who arrested some participants. The group freed them but dispersed after the couple pledged £50 each to local charities.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

CHARIVARI.-On Sunday and Monday last, after dark, a number of young men assembled in the streets of this city, disguised, and accompanied with every instrument of noise, to Charivari a couple newly married, which ceremony, according to a Canadian custom, takes place generally on a young man being married to a widow, as in the present case, or a young widow to a widower.

The watchmen, on Monday last, thinking it their duty to interrupt this amusement, being contrary to the regulations of the police, seized some of the disguised and conducted them to the watch-house. The others, engaged in the Charivari, hearing what had happened, repaired thither, and, after forcing the door and breaking the windows of the watch-house, set their companions at liberty.

The police, on Tuesday afternoon, posted up hand bills, to forbid such nightly rambles. The Charivari, however, assembled last night again, and in greater numbers than before; but on being told that Mr. and Mrs. Lunn were to give £50 for the use of the Female Benevolent Society, and as much for that of the Emigrant Hospital, they dispersed with loud cheers, well satisfied with the generous conduct of the donors, and wishing them much connubial happiness.

[Montreal paper of Feb. 7.]

What sub-type of article is it?

Charivari Custom Police Disturbance

What keywords are associated?

Charivari Montreal Canadian Custom Widow Marriage Police Arrest Watch House Break In Charity Donation

What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. Lunn Mrs. Lunn

Where did it happen?

Montreal

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Montreal

Event Date

Sunday And Monday Last, As Reported In Montreal Paper Of Feb. 7

Key Persons

Mr. Lunn Mrs. Lunn

Outcome

participants freed after forcing watch-house; dispersed peacefully after couple's £50 donations to female benevolent society and emigrant hospital

Event Details

Young men in Montreal conducted a noisy, disguised charivari procession for newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Lunn, per Canadian custom for young man marrying widow. Police arrested some on Monday; others broke into watch-house to free them. Despite police prohibition, group reassembled but dispersed cheering upon learning of couple's charitable pledges.